Category: Book reviews

A Friend in the Dark by Samantha M. Bailey My rating: 5 of 5 stars An intoxicatingly original thriller that positively simmers with a sexy, brooding tension. Elegant and electrifying, this deliciously twisty thriller examines marriage, motherhood, and the dark secrets of the past. A Friend in the Dark cements Samantha Bailey as one of the…

Don’t Forget Me by Rea Frey My rating: 5 of 5 stars Poignant, emotional, and yet marvelously malevolent, Don’t Forget Me is written with Frey’s traditional gorgeous prose while simultaneously being suffused with dread. The final outcome is deeply shocking and terrifying. Certain to keep readers turning the pages! View all my reviews

Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner My rating: 5 of 5 stars A fresh, atmospheric and mesmerizing conclusion to the Frankie Elkin series! Frankie Elkin is one of my favorite protagonists ever, hands down. She is strong, but broken, courageous, but afraid, hard but sensitive and compassionate. She’s instantly relatable, experiencing the whole range…

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth My rating: 5 of 5 stars A compelling domestic suspense with a clever, utterly beguiling plot and expertly crafted, deeply flawed and relatable characters. I was completely hooked from the start. The story is told from the past and present POVs of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, as well as one…

The Last Goodbye by Tim Weaver My rating: 5 of 5 stars A gripping, page-turner of a thriller full of intrigue and action! The plotting is sharp and compelling, the characters are multi-layered and believable, and the storytelling is completely engrossing. It begins with a bang at a new theme park. Tom Preacher and his…

The Maid by Nita Prose My rating: 5 of 5 stars One of the best feel-good books I’ve read in a long time, I absolutely fell in love with Molly Gray! She is warm, delightful and unique, and the entire story was lovely and fun throughout. After the loss of her grandmother, Molly feels adrift…

The Summer of Love and Death by Marcy McCreary My rating: 5 of 5 stars An old case has repercussions on a new copycat killing in this excellent police procedural. With juicy twists, an engaging cast, and an intriguing case that’s impossible to predict, The Summer of Love and Death is everything I want in…

The Last Caretaker by Jessica Strawser My rating: 5 of 5 stars A beautifully written, atmospheric, suspenseful book club book about domestic violence, and the courage and survival of a band of women determined to help those who need it. After a humiliating divorce, Katie accepts a job as a caretaker at a nature reserve.…

The Searcher by Tana French My rating: 5 of 5 stars A beautifully written literary mystery. With the charming Irish humor shining through, I loved every minute of this book. Tana French books aren’t usually ones to fly through, and this one was no different. It’s one to be savored, enjoying the dry Irish humor,…

When I’m Dead by Hannah Morrissey My rating: 5 of 5 stars Intoxicating, gritty and elegant, this haunting murder mystery had me gripped from the start and featured everything I love in a thriller: gothic vibes, teenage angst, twists galore, and the agony and emotion of a compelling mother-daughter relationship. The story starts with a…

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf My rating: 5 of 5 stars This one deserves all the stars! I know I’m a bit late in the day here, but this is probably my top thriller all year! Absolutely intoxicating, engrossing and impossible to predict, I loved this gritty, elegant thriller. True crime writer Wylie Lark…

What Have We Done by Alex Finlay My rating: 5 of 5 stars An action-packed, immersive story about three former foster kids who are now targets of an assassination attempt. To survive, they’ll need to revisit the nightmares of their old foster home and confront a past they’ve worked hard to keep secret. Absolutely riveting…